Toy.



T. BARTHOLOMEW.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22. 1915.

1 1 62,674. Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

.OLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. n c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BARTHOLOMEW, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

TOY.

Application filed September 22, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS BARTHOLO- Mnw, acitizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county ofFranklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to toys and aims particularly to simulate theaction of a hoop when the same is given a forward twirling thrust. Thisaction is perhaps well known, since to make the hoop rotate about itscenter of gravity, will cause it to travel lineally along the groundwhen in frictional engagement with the ground and when given a forwardthrust, the two forces conflict until finally one predominates. Thistwirling action may then, by a little skill, be governed so as topredominate to cause a return movement of the hoop when it strikes afloor or table top.

The main object of my invention, there fore, resides in the provision ofa split or open spring hoop structure, one endof which is so shaped thata grip isformed for causing a flexing of the ring as-a whole to permitits escape and at the same time to give it a twirling action. This gripis preferably designed for coaction with the thumb of the operator,although not necessarily so. However, a further object is to form thegrip so it will coact with the thumb of the operator by bending one endout laterally so that it projects out of the plane of the hoop as awhole.

A further object of my invention consists of a base unit to be used incombination with this hoop structure, this base unit being provided witha suitably formed groove out of which the hoop is permitted to escapeafter it has been properly flexed.

Still a further object is to form the hoop with an anchor portiondesigned for coaction with the base unit to aid the operator in properlypositioning the hoop prior to the flexing operation.

The preferred embodiment of my inven tion is shown in the accompanyingsheet of drawings, in which similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 represents the manner of using my invention in connection witha base member to be applied to the finger of the operator, Figs. 2, 3and 4 are side elevation, top plan and end elevational views showing an-Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

Serial No. 52,003.

other manner of using my improved hoop structure, Fig. 5 is a viewshowing the split hoop by itself, and, Figs. 6 and 7 are side elevationand top plan views of the type of base unit used when operating the hoopin the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

The hoop is represented by thereference numeral 1 and is constructed ofwire containing the necessary degree of resiliency. This hoop is split,as is shown at 2, to present an open formation, and the end of theforemost portion 3 is then turned or bent laterally as is shown at 4,this particular location of the right angularly turned portion 4 beingwhen the split portion 2 is uppermost. This arrangement permits theconvenient grasping by the second finger and thumb as is indicated inFig. 1. In order that the hoop may have a firm base from which it mayslide, I have provided the second finger with a base member in the formof a ring 5 provided with a groove as is shown at 6 for properlyguidingthe ring in its outward movement. To aid the operator in properlypositioning the hoop with relation to the base member, I have formed itwith a crimp or anchor portion 3 located as shown in the drawings.

As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the gradual depression of the portioncarrying the right angular bend 4 causes this bent portion to movebeyond the natural center of gravity and when this point is reached, thefrictional grip between the base member 5 and the base portion of thering will be overcome to cause a forward thrust of the ring, due to itsinherent resiliency. The third finger may also be used to start the ringin its movement, if desired, by a slight forward pressure toward thebase member 5 when the hand has assumed a position as is shown inFig. 1. At the same time, the downward pressure caused by the thumb andthe engagement between the ring and base grip 5 also causes a rotativeaction of the ring about its center of gravity. This causes a twirlingof the ring which tends to decrease the impetus of the forward thrustafter the ring strikes the ground or other surface upon which itoperates and thus the llO In the type of structure shown in Figs. 2, 3and 4, the base member is designated by the reference numeral 7 andcomprises merely a slab having an elongated groove 8 adjacent one edgeinto which the hoop structure is placed after the manner illustrated andthen operated in a manner similar to that above outlined. I preferablyresort to this type of construction when the toy is used for advertisingpurposes, since the space 9 of the slabv 7 may conveniently be used foradvertising purposes to display the name of the donor.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provideda toy which will afford considerable amusement and which, by a littlepractice, may be skilfully operated by persons of all ages.

lVhat I claim, is:

1. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, one end of which hoop is shapedto present a grip portion for use in flexing the hoop.

2. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, one end of which is bent outlaterally to form a thumb grip.

3. A. toy comprising an open spring hoop, the foremost end of which isbent laterally to the right when the'open portion is at the top of thehoop.

4. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, one end of which is bent outlaterally to form a thumb grip, and a base member formed with a grooveout of which the hoop is to slip when it is properly flexed.

5. A toy comprising an open spring hoop,

one end of which is bent out laterally to form a thumb grip and thatportion of which opposite said bend is formed with a crimp to serve asan anchor portion.

6. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, one end of which is bent outlaterally to form a thumb grip and that portion of which opposite saidbend is formed with a crimp to serve as an anchor portion, and a basemember formed with a groove out of which the hoop is to slip when it isproperly flexed.

7. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, the foremost end of which isbent laterally to the right when the open portion is at the top of thehoop, and a ring to fit the finger of the operator against which thehoop is designed to rest.

8. A toy comprising an open spring hoop, the foremost end of which isbent laterally to the right when the open portion is at the top of thehoop, that portion of said hoop opposite said bend being formed with acrimp to serve as an anchor portion, and a ring to fit the finger of theoperator, said ring being formed with a groove into which said crimpedportion is designed to seat itself.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

THOMAS BARTHOLOMEW.

Witnesses:

VVALTER E. L. Boon, A. L. PHELPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. c."

